Meet the Playwright: David Myers
Get to know David Myers, whose play THE ARVESTO PARASITE premieres as part of this year’s XYZ Series of New Works.
David’s plays include: Small Prophecies, Muzungu, Babyhead, 1800 Acres, Body Parts and The Arvesto Parasite. His work has been developed with Labyrinth Theater Company, The Old Vic, The Royal Court, Cornerstone Theater Company, The Lark, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Chalk Rep, Moving Arts LA and others. He has been commissioned by Berkeley Rep School of Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse. He is currently the Shank Playwright in Residence at South Coast Rep. David has sold two screenplays, the first of which was developed at IFP’s Independent Film Week in New York. He is currently writing the second.
He has taught at the University of California, San Diego; Berkeley Rep School of Theatre; and in San Diego public high schools. He served as the Literary Associate at The Public Theater under Artistic Directors George C. Wolfe and Oskar Eustis. Myers was the National Coordinator of Suzan-Lori Parks’ 365 Days / 365 Plays Festival and spent time in rural Rwanda, where he helped to develop Mumugi Watchu – a play designed to stimulate discussion on AIDS prevention and sexual health.
David has a BA from Brown University and an MFA from UCSD. He is originally from Houston, Texas
About THE ARVESTO PARASITE
In an other-worldly country below the equator, an American businessman tries to rescue an infected cash crop. While in town, he fights with the local hermaphrodite prostitute, clashes with a the labor force, and manages to save the crop for the annual Arvesto Festival. The Arvesto Parasite looks at the bonds people make – with each other, their work, their nature, and in this case, a human-sized parasite – and wonders how we get by in the world without being fatally consumed.